X570 Tomahawk SATA connections prevent PCI-E lock from activating on the GPU.
X570 Tomahawk SATA connections prevent PCI-E lock from activating on the GPU.
I recently assembled a new PC and had to take out the GPU because I forgot to remove the HDMI/DisplayPort connectors. The case prevented me from fully removing them while the GPU was installed. Once I unscrewed the 3080 TUF OC, the PCI-E slot wasn’t locking properly—I could easily pull the card out. After reinserting it and making sure it was firmly seated, the lock still wouldn’t engage, even after pushing it a bit. I also observed that SATA ports were obstructing the PCI-E slot from reaching the engagement point. Since I’m using a Jonsbo vc-1 anti-sag device, it keeps the GPU in place and I positioned it to secure the card against the motherboard. The system functions normally, but nothing disconnects when moving it. Have anyone experienced this issue with SATA ports preventing the PCI-E lock from engaging?
Could the screws be too tight or loose and the board be slightly warped? After trying to insert the card, I felt it flex slightly before inserting it fully. I dry-tested everything with an old GPU, placed it in the case, and installed the GPU last week. Could the central area be lower than the screw next to the SATA port, causing this issue? With a large heavy case, it might be hard to move it for testing if it’s unlikely.
They clearly made a poor choice with the design. Aligning SATA connectors next to the GPU is completely unreasonable. Still, since they’re just a company focused on profit, they’ll likely cut corners. If they believe they can get away with it, you’re in trouble. Trust your money and return the board for a better one. If possible, skip the locking mechanism—just make sure the card is accessible enough.
I started the investigation this evening and found the lock was locked. It was simple to lock or unlock it with a flat screwdriver, unlike during the first time I installed the card over the weekend. The reason was likely the card settling into the slot when I moved the case after closing it. After taking it out and putting it back, the lock still engaged properly, though opening and closing felt less smooth. This supports the idea that the card was correctly seated. The alarm can be dismissed—there’s no fault in the motherboard design, everything is fine. Thanks for your feedback.